Alabama will have new congressional districts when voters go to the polls next year. Whether this will be the map that dictates those new districts is now in the hands of the federal courts.
Following a joint conference committee of the House and Senate, where a now-final version of the Livingston Plan was approved, both chambers concurred, bringing the special session to a close.
With the court-set deadline of Friday, the Legislature approved the new map on time.
Governor Kay Ivey signed off on the redrawn map Friday afternoon.
“The Legislature knows our state, our people and our districts better than the federal courts or activist groups, and I am pleased that they answered the call, remained focused and produced new districts ahead of the court deadline,” Ivey said.
RELATED: Lawmakers on track to finalize redrawn map
Under the plan Congressional District 7, currently represented by U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, would be composed of a majority-Black population at 50.65%. District 7 is currently 57.1% majority-Black. U.S. Rep. Barry Moore’s Congressional District 5 would stand at 39.99%. Each district would contain 717,754 Alabamians.
Sen. Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro), the plan’s author, said the map had the best numbers when run through the system, describing the evolution as a change in additional compactness.
Later from the floor of the senate following final approval, Livingston thanked everyone for their hard work.
“I want to thank everybody for their help, committee members, the members present here, especially the folks downstairs and reapportionment in the office. They’ve done a fantastic job of getting everything we needed.”
While lawmakers say more plans 100 plans were submitted, this map is the one headed to the federal court.
Democrats across both chambers expressed opposition for all three maps offered throughout the week.
“We could have saved time and money by not doing anything and just letting the court draw it,” Rep. Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa) said after adjournment.
Submitting maps the court finds unsatisfactory could risk the appointment of a special master — a third party to draw the maps on behalf of the state.
More than 100 plans were reportedly considered before lawmakers settled on the final map, which is now headed to federal court.
“Following the federal court’s ruling on our congressional districts last month, my colleagues in the Alabama Legislature have been working tirelessly towards a plan that offers more opportunity for all voters,” Senate Pro Tem Greg Reed said.
“I firmly believe that the map we adopted in the House and Senate is a fair solution that positions Alabama’s congressional districts and our voters in the best way possible.”
Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270
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